Comments on: Estonia sets shining Wi-Fi example

CNET News.com's John Borland found wireless access across the tiny Baltic country that puts the U.S. to shame.

[pmardones]

WiFi for the masses...

Interesting story. I've heard of similar initiatives in developing
countries that are worth mentioning. For instance, there's a mid-
size city in southern Chile (South America), which is offering free
WiFi connectivity for basically every person with a WiFi-enabled
computer. It's a project sponsored by the City Hall, Cisco Systems,
and Intel. The connection offered is rather slow, but still it's a nice
first step, and it's free!

[profiler_911]

wifi in ukraine

I work for ISP company in Ukraine and we provide wifi to many of our clients. But I think it will take for a while to make wifi public and free here, because Ukrainian government requires a license (and big monthly fee) for each wireless device that works as acceess point. I think we need to change legislation first.
But it's nice to know that other countries don't have problems like that.

[marthazwierko]

Alec -- any advice for me??

My husband and I are traveling to the Ukraine on Dec.
18, 2005, to adopt a little boy. Like typical Americans
business folk, we are a bit frantic about connectivity.
How can we get Internet access over there while
traveling? We will be in Kiev for a short time, then out to
some other rural towns (unknown where). We've got the
laptops, is satellite an option? Any suggestions?
Many thanks,
Martha

If you would like to reply to me directly:
[e-mail]

[trogolodyte16]

Becoming more the hi-tech norm outside the US

I think it is wonderful that Estonia has this ability, wi-fi for the masses!
Many cities in the US are struggling with trying to this, not understanding traditional broadband access methods currently available more than meet the demand of any given community.
It would be interesting to know what other types of connectivity are in Estonia (or not) that encouraged this current wi-fi revolution!

[BixPoku]

Happy estonian WiFi user

About free vs. pay-WiFi.
If I sit donw in a coffe or use gas station WiFi and its NO FREE, I chose another location. I expect WiFi to be completly FREE (or included in other services). I have plenty of other opportunities to chose if some greedy coffee owner does not offer WiFi free.
So you must understand my dissappointment where I tried to find a WiFi area in London. Only in Hotels or Airports and it was 5 pounds (POUNDS!!!!) 24H. And there was no public WiFi access point even in Microsoft headquarters as well!!!!!